History of Baldwin County, Alabama

From The Onlooker, page 1, published on 29 Nov 1945, is John W. Miller, Jr of Bon Secour, Baldwin County, AL. He is is another high-point Baldwin County service man who came home viva Magic Carpet on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) or the 'Sara" as she was called. The photo is of the 'Sara' on a Magic Carpet cruise.

A little history on Operation Magic Carpet
The War Shipping Administration (WSA) began planning Operation Magic Carpet back in 1943. Operation Magic Carpet was launched in June 1945 after Germany signed the Instrument of Surrender on 8 May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day or V Day). Magic Carpet also returned German and Italian prisoners of war ( POWs) to Europe. Around half a million POWs were also repatriated in the course of Operation Magic Carpet.
The WSA ordered the immediate conversion of 300 Liberty and Victory cargo ships into troop transports with Victory in the European Theater. The task of returning the troops was the sole responsibility of the Army and Merchant Marine. The Navy was excluded from the initial European sealift, as the Pacific War was far from over.
The first homeward-bound ships left in late June 1945, and by November, the sealift was at its height. During wartime build-up in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) the average delivery of soldiers was 148,00 per month.

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The USS Chilton (APA-38) was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater participated in the Okinawa invasion. She made two (2) voyages to the Philippines and Okinawa to carry home servicemen. www.wikiwand.com/en/USS_Chilton Photo is credited to the U.S. Navy.

From The Baldwin Times, page 5, published on 10 Jan 1946, is James C. Williams, T-5, from Daphne, AL who came home on the USS Chilton (APA-38), she was a Bayfield-class attack transport. Her task was to deliver troops to the battle front, and to recover and care for the wounded.
Also on the USS Chilton (yes, she was named for Chilton County, AL) was: Alexander Smith Pfc, Tensaw, Baldwin County; Cpl. Alma Vines, Bay Minette, who arrived in the states in Dec. aboard the Chilton; Charles A. Haupt, Capt. of Elberta, AL.

The local newspapers were good in writing articles on the men that were part of 'Operation Magic Carpet' but I am sure that some were missed. For the next several days, this site will feature men that came home as part of 'Magic Carpet.' The first is Charles Lott, S 1-c (Seaman First Class) from Foley, Baldwin, Alabama, who came home on the USS Kalinin Bay (CVE-68) and described as a 'baby flat-top' and named after a bay in Alaska.
The article on Charles Lott, appeared in The Baldwin Times, page 11, published on 24 Jan 1946.

Many of the high-point men coming home very shortly after the war was over in the European Theater and in the South Pacific. In 1943, General Marshall, planned what became known as 'Operation Magic Carpet' on how this was to be accomplished. The plan included a point system: how months overseas, battles that you were in, if you had been held as a prisoner of war, if you had small children at home and were you injured. The goal was to bring as many men home as possible before Christmas of 1945.
The USS Saratoga (CV-3) was one of ships who was assigned to 'Magic Carpet duty. The 'Saratoga' brought home a total of 29, 204 Pacific War Veterans, more than any other individual ship.
A photo of one of the many trips that she made bringing high-pint men back to America.

This post is on Margaret D. Baldwin, daughter of Mrs. Anita C. Baldwin of Robertsdale, AL, serving at the Third Training Center of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps at Ft. Oglethorpe, GA. From The Onlooker, page 4, published on 08 Apr 1943.

From The Baldwin Times, page 5, and published on 14 Mar 1918, is rate for crossing the Lillian Bridge. Note that during March, there is an "Excursion Rates Every Sunday during March.' Automobile, round trip is 50 cents. They even have the rates for single or double teams (horses) posted.

From The Baldwin Times, page 1, published on 24 Jun 1948, is the following on creating the 2nd rural delivery mail route from the Bay Minette post office. It will also serve the community of Dyas. And Route 1, will now serve the community the 12 families of White House Fork.

Olivia Miller Victor, class of 1929 from Foley High School, served with the Army and Navy in WWII as a Nurse. She was assigned to the USAHS Thistle, a converted passenger/cargo ship, which was a 455-bed floating hospital. She was credited with 5 Campaign Medals and 3 Battle Stars serving in every war theater of WW2, making 17 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean and to the Pacific. She served as Chief Nurse aboard the Thistle.

From The Baldwin Times, page 5, 25 Mar 1943, is the following advertisement from the Baldwin Furniture Company of Bay Minette wanting photographs of men who were serving in the Armed Forces from Baldwin County. Wouldn't it be great if someone had saved those photos.
Unfortunately the ad didn't mention wanting photos of the women who served. Having worked & still working on those who served from Baldwin County, AL, one women is Olivia Miller Victor from Foley, who became the head nurse on the U.S. Army Hospital ship, USAHA Thistle. More about her later.

Sharing from the Fairhope Times

Several days ago, I posted an article on the Ground Observers from World War II. Today is a photo of the pin that they received with their certificate, unfortunately I could not locate a copy of the certificate that I had for Essie Drew Josey, she was a spotter in Lottie. Along with a poster on the Ground Observers with information regarding their role in World War II. Pin is from amcmuseum.org/collections/aircraft-warning-service-volunteer-observer-pin/ Poster and information is from /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_Observer_Corps.

To follow up on the article regarding Laura Dolive Grant is from The Baldwin Times, page 11, published on 29 May 1941.

From The Onlooker, page 1, published on 11 Nov 1943, is the following article regarding the Ground Observer Corps.

From The Onlooker, page 1, and published on 18 Aug 1949, is a photo of the Blessing of the Fleet in Bon Secour with about 40 boats participating.

Again from The Baldwin Times, page 4, published on 18 Mar 1897, is the list for serving on the "Petite Jury."

From The Baldwin Times, page 4, published on 18 Mar 1897....yes, that is 1897, is a list of jurors for the Spring Term of the Circuit Court. Anyone have a relative in this list.

Today, I have a request from the readers of 'History of Baldwin County, Alabama.' I am looking for a photo of someone standing/sitting in a Jeep and it doesn't matter which model of the Jeep.
I am working on a project for next February 2025, I can't say this enough: The person needs to be from Baldwin County, AL who served in WWII, so please go through your old photos that have been handed down and see if you have one. I will need the name of the person, branch of service and what unit he/she was assigned to. Many thanks everyone in advance for taking the time to look for this photo.

On this day, celebrate with a prayer for the approximately 90 service men from Baldwin County, Alabama, that did not come home from World War II. I do not have the numbers for Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, etc.
We, as a country, are indebted to all who lost their life for fighting for our country. Our country is not perfect but a whole lot better than a majority of countries that my father (Otto Stejskal), my uncles (Sonny Levens, Arnold Calvert), cousins (Emory Boyington) and my husband (Ret, USN OSCM) got to see serving this great nation.
Also, I am very proud of the work I did in telling the stories of the men and women who served in the "World War I & II, Memories of Baldwin County." Please go and visit the Exhibit, when it is on display, at the Baldwin County History Museum, in Elberta. Learn the history of Baldwin County's contributions to the war effort. Let your children know the sacrifice for military personnel. Post with photos (if you have them) loved ones who served and were from Baldwin County, Alabama.

Today, while looking for "Laura Durant," I came across this Laura Durant. The long article was separated into 3 parts so that it would be easier to read. It was published by The Baldwin Times, page 12, on 29 May 1941. Mrs. Laura Durant was ninety in 1941 and I loved the description of her, "as straight as an Indian and as lively as a cricket."
As a bonus in the article there is a little genealogy for members of the Baldwin County Genealogical Society. Enjoy as her answers to questions still apply today.

A photo of the Wall at night.

The Viet Nam Wall (traveling exhibit) is up and accepting Visitors. If you have not seen the Wall in DC here is you chance. It is set up in the west field of the Coliseum and the east gate is open for parking. It is open 24/7 and there is plenty of lightning. Just inside the coliseum is a board of those from Baldwin County who did not come home. At the tent in field, there is a print-out of the names on The Wall.
Glen C. Keene, Jr from Fairhope, is the only Navy personnel on the board. He was with the 'brown water Navy,' in other words he was on a boat on river patrol. The rivers were so brown, that the name 'brown water Navy,' described the group of Navy men who served aboard them.
Wonderful set-up, hats-off to Mary Williams of the Grady Thames Robertsdale Senior Center. Below are those that volunteer their time to help with the set-up. Thank you!

A little info on 'turkey red:' from the internet:

In doing research on WWII and feed sacks in the war years, I was looking for an obituary notice and found this article. It is regarding the dyes used in clothing.
From the Wilcox Progressive Era, located in Camden, AL on page 4, and published on 15 Nov 1945.
What is interesting that as a result of WWI, part of Germany's conditions was to give up their dye secrets. Reds and blues are notorious for 'running' or 'bleeding' onto other fabrics in the wash. This was eliminated with the 'Turkey Red' and cannot remember what the blue was called. in late 1800s. Now I am finding red fabric are now 'bleeding' again. One step forward and two back.

From The Baldwin Times, page 12, published on 08 Nov 1945, is the Baldwin County High School Football team getting ready to meet the Foley Lions.
Do you recognize anyone?

From The Baldwin Times, page 5 and published on 21 Nov 1940, is the Baldwin High School starting backfield who will be playing against the Atmore Air Aces in the "first annual Thanksgiving Day football clash." Again this article was taken apart to lighten up the players and then put back together.

See if you recognize anyone! This article is from The Baldwin Times, page 7, and published on 07 Nov 1940. I have lighten the photo so that it now can see more face of the 5th graders at Silverhill Elementary. When I did that the print was so light that is was gone. Took it apart and then put it back together. Enjoy.

Today, I spotted this article on PhM 2/c (Pharmacy Mate Second Class) G.L. Coaker, whom I did a storyboard on him for the WWI & WWII Exhibit several years ago. I would like to share one of newspaper articles regarding him. What a story to tell his grandchildren!
First to set the scene, he joined the Navy on 18 Sep 1941, & agreed, in a newspaper article (The Onlooker, page 1, published on 31 Dec 1942) that the Navy slogan of 'Join the Navy and See the World' was an appropriate slogan for the Navy. He finally got to visit his parents for 30 days in Nov/Dec time-frame in 1942.
In 1943, he was assigned to the USS Hornet (CV-8.) In1943, she made the headlines in newspapers in the U.S., as she carried the Doolittle Raiders close enough to Japan to launch the B-25s. The task force assign to bomb Japan included the USS Enterprise (CV-6 ) & 15 other ships with a total of 10,000 sailors, airmen, & Marine. The story being posted is from The Onlooker, page 1, 29 Apr 1943. The story doesn't end here. After the bombing, the Hornet was targeted by the Japanese to sink her. Sailors jumped into the ocean waters, but the Hornet would not sink and finally the American Navy took care of her and she sunk. Coaker and others were picked up by destroyers. If you have never read the story of the USS Hornet...please do so.

From The Baldwin Times, page 2, published on 28 May 1896, published from Daphne, Al., is the following story on Texas land grants.
Do any readers recognize any of the names that are listed in this article, who at one time lived in Alabama. They had land grants in Texas between the Texas War of 1835-1837 and all immigrants before 1944.